Best portable recorder under 100
Vložit
- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- Today I’m going to compare three handheld audio recorders to see which one is the best value for money for under 100 dollars or here in the uk £100. I would say that these recorders are aimed more for people who just need to quickly record interviews or use it with a LAV mic for weddings or events and maybe record some song ideas on the fly.
=============================
Table of Contents:
=============================
0:00 - Intro & Disclosure
1:04 - Olympus Build Quality & Design
1:58 - Zoom Build Quality & Design
2:36 - Tascam Build Quality & Design
3:27 - Zoom In-built mic test
3:40 - Olympus In-built mic test
3:51 - Tascam In-built mic test
4:04 - RF Test
4:20 - LAV mic test
5:20 - Which one would I go for?
=============================
GEAR MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Tascam DR-07x: amzn.to/3bRt1KY
Zoom H1n: amzn.to/39YMqXV
olympus LS-P1: amzn.to/39NLSnD
Olympus LS-P4: amzn.to/3oWmgLn
Sennheiser ME2 Lav mic: amzn.to/3hizAbH
Click the link to get unlimited downloads of stock videos, stock photos, 3D assets, royalty-free music, graphics & more with Envato Elements: ►► 1.envato.market/giantkiller
My Drone: click.dji.com/AP2NKK-ZOQqAAmv... Drone&pm=custom
My main Gimbal: click.dji.com/AOKhriNN50A9mL8... DAN&pm=custom
The BEST monopod: amzn.to/31KX2Fc
DJI OSMO ACTION: click.dji.com/AMLTGNGcYnRhr26...
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: / giantkillerstudios
Website: www.giantkillerstudios.co.uk
ALL OF MY FILMMAKING GEAR: kit.co/Giantkiller
Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
#audiorecorder #bestrecorder
Subscribe for more Film and Photography tips: czcams.com/users/DanielHenryGiantkillerstudios
0:00 - Intro & Disclosure
1:04 - Olympus Build Quality & Design
1:58 - Zoom Build Quality & Design
2:36 - Tascam Build Quality & Design
3:27 - Zoom In-built mic test
3:40 - Olympus In-built mic test
3:51 - Tascam In-built mic test
4:04 - RF Test
4:20 - LAV mic test
5:20 - Which one would I go for?
Thanks for your in-depth review. Very helpful after all that i went for the Tuscam DR-07 MK ll. I like that you move the mics and you can layer
Thank you so much for this great review!
Thanks for watching Justin. 👍
What a great review, i recently picked up the Olympus Lsp1 for really cheap price.. I was going to look for a comparison video for the recorder and found this. Very informative, thank you.
Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad this little video helped.
Fantastic, to the point video. Loved it. Thanks
Thank you my friend. 👌
Great review, Daniel! Very helpful.
Thanks Josh, And thanks for watching.
The Tascam clearly has a more smooth and deeper sound quality. :)
Evet doğru kardeşim 👍
What type of recorders/mics these are? How to learn more about tech like this? I have podcast mic that i mount on boom arm. Does these recorders from this video produces better audio quality than podcast mics?
Thanks for the review.
Very thorough, straight to the point, great job. I wish every how-to and review video was this well done.
Thanks so much for the kind words.
Omg so nicely explained.hats off to U for good research .thank u
Thank you. Thanks so much for watching. 🙂
Thanks. That was a short but comprehensive review. I love the small form factor, so I've just ordered the Olympus LS-P4. I'll mostly use it for recording atmo and w/ a lav mic when moving around the camera.
That's exactly why I got one too. Thanks for watching!
Super useful. Thanks!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.
This review is so useful.
I especially appreciate how you actually test it and show the quality of the audio instead of just explaining it.
Tqsm for this,I've been thinking about audio recorders lately and this video helped a lot.
Though,I still don't know which one to pick.
So,any recommendations?
This is one of the many reviews and comparisons that won my comment and LIKE... Good one there, Daniel. And yes, the Zoom H1n rules recorders of the same level.
Thank you so much!
Cheers for the lovely vid :D
Tascam sounded the best to me ^^
I wish there were a bit more tests and in a blind (revealed at the end).
But very nice vid much appreciated :D
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice, short and succinct review. Though, I would have liked some technical info as well, such as, bit depth and rate, is there a low frequency roll off for wind/hand noise and, did all three have a built-in limiter?
great vid nice and concise x
Thanks Tom. Hope this video helped
Great review
thanks 👍
Great review! It could really get some more attention.
I recently bought the H1n for a good price.
Now I'm curious to see how well it will fit my needs.
Thank you my friend. The H1n sounded great in my audio tests. You won't be disappointed :-)
Dropped mine once and it bricked. Was pretty good for recording dj sets.
Great video. Looking to replace my 1st gen Zoom H1 which I've had for a few years now. Unfortunately one of the mics is bust (lots of static coming through, other mic is fine). Tascam sounded the best to me and I like that you can move the mics, so will probably go for that one.
Thanks Will. Appreciate you taking the time to watch it.
와 자막도 잘나와서 보는데 문제없이 잘봤어요!! 땡큐!!감사!
자막이 잘 작동해서 다행입니다. 밍밍님 봐주셔서 감사합니다.
Thanks Dan. I tried a Tascam DR-07X and sent it back due to the noise floor problems - soooo noisy!! Could you do an unflitered silence test so we can hear the noise floor of each at various gains? Was also useful to know that particular Olympus is off the shopping list. Good vid
Great review! The old Olympus DM-670 also does a great job in its durable metal case--three microphones and 8 gB internal storage (from memory). The new Olympus LS-P5 has even more capability in a tiny package--at a great price, with a shock absorbing camera accessory also available.
love your videos, what are you using to hold the audio recorders on mic stand? (Zoom H1n)?
Very good info!!! 👍🏻
What’s it like if you was to record music off a Bluetooth speaker and also rap into the the Tascam or the H1N at the same time? Will it pick up both sounds, if not could you recommend any that does.
Hey really love your content this is awesome . What is your preferred editing software you use for filmmaking, I'd love to have a conversation and maybe even collaborate on different methods in telling stories through film!
Nice comparison with the lav mics they all sound so similar. I was leaning towards the Olympus 853
will have to reshop prices again. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
I like the Sony ICD-UX570 so much I bought a second one ($72) for the business. Small, solid quality, simple menus and buttons, and easy to use. I really like the convenience of its slide-out USB-A connector. It head headphone and mic jacks. Sony didn't skimp on this. The free audio software does all I need it to do.
Price point is great and as a voice memo recorder it’s good. For commentary on CZcams videos or recording music ideas, this may not be fit for that purpose without a external mic plugged in. The audio volume and sound characteristics are very variable depending on how close the microphone is to your mouth and it’s not as high quality overall without a lapel mic.
nice work Dan
Thanks buddy. 👌
Although I do think the tascam has the best audio of the 3, I'll be choosing the zoom since I only really need it to record line in, and some minor voice stuff, works nice since its about the same price as a proper audio interface. Not to mention it's cheaper and with the about $20 I save against the tascam, I could buy an arm/wind sock kit. Also they sell them at my local bestbuy.
I guess it really depends on what you need the recorder for. Sounds like you saved yourself a bit of cash by going for that option. 👌👌
The tascam sounded way better
My H1n always drained the batterys when turned off and it stopped working after about 2 years. So I am looking for a replacement. Thanks for the comparison!
You’re totally welcome. I liked the size and build of the Olympus but I prefer the model up from it. The sound is better quality too.
tascam sounds smooth just like the Zoom h1n but I'll go for the zoom for recording speaker comparisons
i'm digging the Tascam
Great work
Thanks for checking my video out. 👍
Thanks
Great video , thx
Thanks for watching Adam.
I ❤ my H1n. Glad you did too
Great value for money!!
It seems like there's still room for a small competitor (perhaps Rode?) for an internal USB charged battery, more internal storage and bluetooth control with an app.
Are you using the Sennheiser ME2 Lav mic during these tests? Hard to see.
Excellent video. My layman's 2 cents:
1. Olympus sounds tingy
2. Tascam sounds like the voice has been processed in post
3. Zoom H1N sounds the most natural and the best of all.
I am glad that I have a Zoom H1N and it has never disappointed me.
Thank you very much for your time and effort.
That zoom is a great little workhorse. You’re right about the Olympus, the more expensive Olympus models sounds way better than the one in this video though.
If you actually listen from 4:20 youll hear that the Zoom sounds the worst
In the external lav test, the Zoom H1n sounded thin and mid-rangey compared to the other two. The Tascam kinda sounded the best, but I don't want to get that one because of the RF interference issues that other users have had with it when recording in the city. I use the Zoom H6 and Zoom H1n for binaural recordings with the Roland CS-10em and the Zoom H6 sounds more immersive than the H1n (just got this one for more portability). I would like to return the H1n if I had a better option in this price range, but unfortunately that might not be the case. Gonna try some EQ to see if I can improve the sound or I am stuck with a lesser quality sound due to the preamp and/or AD converter in the H1n compared to the H6.
Yeah, the Tascam is aimed more for quick sound FX and Musicians to capture their ideas. I personally use the Mixpre3 ii and the preamps are out of this world ! Highly recommend. But then you are in broadcast audio territory along with a higher price range. It really depends what you're recording and your budget. Thanks for the comment buddy. :-)
Does the Olympus have a high pass filter turned on or something? Surprised how thin it sounds here using the in built mics.
Hi, when it comes to plosives, that's what I'm hearing at 3:27 through 4:20, right? And that can be avoided by using either a mic cover or a pop filter, correct? I'm new into this, so any feedback is appreciated. I currently use a PCM recorder and I had an issue with plosives, so putting a sock over the mic (lol) somewhat helps. I have it on loan and I have to return it soon, so I'm looking around for something I could use. I don't want bad audio to hurt my videos.
The video itself is very helpful and informative, so thanks for that!
I am really confused at the moment, I am trying to get an affordable mic that are are used for filming and recording device instead of using audio interface (sound cards) that will require you using a laptop with you on the street if you need to shoot a scene on a street rather than carrying laptops around, because I see some youtube videos with someone holding a pole during filming (a boom mic i guess), I need advice please (I am able to edit videos and audio after shooting)
Thank you for this video ! Just to be sure, could I also use them to records nature's sounds ?
Thanks for watching Lucas. Yes absolutely! Just make sure to use a wind shield and tripod if possible to avoid handling noise.
Which are you referring to use for a street walker sir
Hi, very nice video thank you! I would like to know where did you get the mic bracket that you used for the Olympus?
Thanks for watching. Sure thing! I used a small rig clamp on the Olympus. I use them for everything, very handy. amzn.to/3dSlRp4
@@MisterHenry Thank you for the answer, I'm going to check it. Keep posting videos like that, very useful!
hi i just wanted to know are they just modernised versions of casette recorders
Great video man! Can you recommend a recorder that has pre and post roll sound activated recording? I'm trying to record my neighbors dogs barking and I'm missing the first part of their barking with my standard voice activated recorder. Thank you.
I believe the Sony pcm-d50 is constantly recording a 5 second buffer before you press record, though I'm not sure if it does on sound activation.
fantastic matte
Great video! My Marantz has stopped taking data cards but I need a recorder to record and sync my voice when away from camera - must lock whilst in pocket. Do these all take 3 or 4 pin laveliers?
Just your standard 3.5 jack input for the lav mic.
On the crazy ones did you point the zoom a bit wrong ?
thanks, saved mefrom waisting money on Olympus ;) :D
Great Video.
I guess its the Tascam for me.
Thanks for watching 👍
@1:40 in the box there is an adaptator for regular size mounts.
I would of prefered a regular sized thread on the unit rather than an adapter. I'd lose that little thing in seconds (and I Did! LOL).
Can I connect any of these devices via for examble Bluetooth and the record incoming Calls - so I can use them for interviews?😃🤞
And can I control them from my phone?
I prefer the tascam 07x because i have one on my own property and it works perfect to me
i have the cheapish Zoom one.... my only concern with it is that the mic guard is plastic and looks like it may break easily if im not careful.. the sound is great though..
I have the dr 07x and i am very pleased
Definitely the best all rounder.
Just wanted to share some feedback that you may find helpful when making future videos to compare multiple models. So first off, thanks for making the video, and you may have already started doing this, but I haven't watched enough of your vids to know. When recording a monologue for use in comparing similar modes on multiple devices, I feel like it would make for a better comparison if recorded on all devices at once. You'd have to record less, and remove the variability in your voice, annunciation, plosives, volume etc. You could put each audio track into a video, annotating each with the model number or video clip. Granted this may not be feasible for all features or modes, but would strengthen the direct comparison for viewers considering more than one model.
Wise words
I also miss source files to download so I can play with them in Audacity (who is using recorded voice without any postprocesing....)
I purchased a new LS-10 in the early 2000s. It’s been sitting in its box since then, they retailed at about $200 back then. I recorded acoustic guitar and it works fine.
Thank you for making a video on how it can be applied.
You’re totally welcome Rob 👍
Lol i bought it used in 2020 and i see this market stay in 2000. New recorders has 3310 nokia screens and noise in background. All those devices are garbage on many lvls, from connections forms to a quality of builded in amplifier. They still make it like in 2000.
I have an LS-10 from 2010 that's basically NOS. Olympus never improved upon that design. It's seeing a lot of use now, even after me acquiring a new Zoom H5. I think that the LS-10 sounds better...
Theyr still 200.
I just ordered an H1N after returning the DR07X. Got interference issues within 20 minutes of cracking the box open and doing my first test recording outside. And I am not in a busy city nor am I near power lines. Unbelievable. And a shame because I think the Tascam probably has better sound overall. I just wasn't willing to risk cracking it open and install shielding.
Have used the zoom H4n at school, its a little bit more expensive and too expensive for me but Gaahwwdd it sounds great
Great little unit. 👍
Great video and I'm wondering what one would be best for recording home guitar music and vocals? Thanks.
Thanks Chris! Out of the three I'd probably go for the DR-07X, it features stereo unidirectional mics with variable X/Y or A/B capability which is perfect for recording music and instruments. There's onboard effects on there too for good measure. Hope this helps.
@@MisterHenry Thanks a lot for the quick reply Daniel I appreciate it as I'm new to this and always record my song on a Samsung S6 phone but looking at one of these to take the sound to the next level but just want something simple to use.
@@ChrisT-fr2qt no worries at all. As long as your sound levels don’t clip, all you need to do is hit record and you’re set. Like any bit of kit though, you’ll get the most out of it when you experiment with the features and master the recorder. Thanks again for watching 👍
@@MisterHenry Can you listen to it through a speaker or got to be connected to the computer/laptop etc?
@@ChrisT-fr2qt it’s got a small built in speaker on the back of the unit but I’d definitely recommend using a pair of headphones with it.
WATCH ME NEXT
Best Boom mic for Filming
czcams.com/video/x6Sat-AijBk/video.html
Please can someone recommend an audio recorder with file recovery ( automatic recording) function, in case of power loss?
I reckon I'll still buy the Tascam 07X, directional mics are really nice for sound effects on location, it sounds the best to me
Because of the onboard effects, It’s a good choice for musicians too.
Also, just from this given test, the Tascam sounds much better for spoken-word and podcasting. It adds a bit of bass tones to the voice. My own preference, overall, would be with the Tascam. I just find it smoother.
Question on the Tascam unit: When you switch the mic's from XY to AB, does it automatically switch the left and right input. Curious since in XY, the left mic picks up the right side, and the right mic picks up the left side. In AB mode, the right mic picks up the right side and left mic picks up the left side. Wondering if this is automatically switched in the unit or if it has to be done in post.
Hi There. Thanks for the question. You move the mics towards each other for X & Y and away for AB. When the two microphones are placed right next to each other so that the diaphragms are as close as possible, that's when it's in X-Y stereo mode. The position of the mics dictate weather you capture AB or XY. Hope that make sense.
@@MisterHenry I understand the mic placement, etc. Remembering that in XY, the left mic picks up on the right side. In AB, the left mic picks up on the left side. Does the DR7 automatically compensate for that, or does it need to be transposed in post.
@@NJP76 Good question. A pop-up message appears automatically
whenever the built-in stereo mic is opened or closed and if the
left-right channel setting does not suit the mic angle. You can also change it manually.
@@MisterHenry Ah yes. This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you so much. This is going to help a lot in my decision making process.
i have th zoom h1n and happy with it.
Great little unit!
What lav mic did you use on the H1N?
Sennheiser ME2 Lav mic: amzn.to/3hizAbH
I was thinking about a zoom h5 . Do you think that it is better for music and voice recording.
Hi Brenda, If I had to choose, I'd go for the Tascam DR07x for music and voice recording. It has more features for musicians on that particular unit. :-)
how close do you have to be to the target? im trying to pick one up to record lectures. So a good distance and other noises D:
Like with most mics, the closer to the source the better. If it’s just for lectures though, you can get away with being further away.
Vale la pena comprar la TASCAN DR 40X o con la H1N de ZOOM es suficiente para podcast
I'd say DR40x would be the better option for podcasts out of the two.
Do any include a line in to record like a mixer out or recording of some sort
All of them have a 3.5 jack line in. You would need to grab the right cables though. If you’re doing that a lot you might want a portable recorder with xlr/1/4 jack inputs. The preamps will be better that way.
im after one for sound while filming fishing videos and some nature the h1n i like a lot
That should work well. Definitely make sure you get a wind cover for the recorder. Especially if you’re recording outside.
@@MisterHenry thanks
@@MisterHenry I'm really sold on this or the h2N the h2n looks solid and more durable
Hi. I have been searching these for week now. My criteria: long battery life, use aa/aaa and can record events like kids birthday party / Christmas when many in the room and maybe also nature sounds outdoor. What do you recommend of these or something else? I noticed that Sony has settings to record like meeting or something where people around table but are these good for that? Sony has build in battery witch I wanna avoid.
Hi There, like with with any portable recorder, mic placement is very important. If you have the recorder placed in the middle of the room, you're going to get the room tone. If there's lots of people talking at once , it'll be very hard to make out what anyone is saying. However, if you have an idea of who or where the main audio of interest is, It'll be important to place the recorder as close to that area as possible. Out of the three of these recorders, I would go for the Tascam Dr07x. It has a good battery life and you can change the axis of the in built mics for different scenarios. Not every tool is going to be perfect for everything, but it will definitely be so much better than some of the cheaper alternatives. Hope this helps Juha. All the best. 🙂
@@MisterHenry Thanks. It seems all have pros and cons. I was looking Olympus LS-P4 because the battery and small size. Just like small sony icd-ux570 but battery cannot be replaced. But changing direction of mics sounds also great in tascam. Pff I hate comparing online should make an excel sheet about pros and cons of each model lol. Back to 90s we were able to touch and try products in store even here with snow and reindeers. Anyways because the size I was thinking Olympus. Every day I decide differently depending what I read or hear.
Great video. I bought the Olympus but wish I'd bought the Tascam. Its so tiny and even on your video the Tascam sounds and looks better. I'll persevere but so far rather underwhelmed!
I found the next model up from the Olympus was ten times better than the one in this video.
I have the ls p1 and dr07x
Търся диктофон да се свързва с Драгон или някой подобен софтуер и да ми изписва в текстов формат. Какъв диктофон да купя?
hey, could i please have some help. I am getting a digital recorder, should i get the Zoom H1n cardiod XY or the Tascam Dr-05X stereo omni AB
Hey there, will you be using it for mostly video stuff or music?
@@MisterHenry music
Can you compare a lighting kit or two?
I'll see what I can do. :-)
Hey,
Few years back I got into PR's. I've almost tried every portable recorder that was on the market back then.
My conclusion the Olympus ls100 beats all of the tascams including the zooms h2n h4n h5 and h6.
This recorder has almost non-existent noise. That was actually very important since I would use it for field recordings.
Cheers. 🙏
How about the Sony pcm a10? I was thinking between that and the Olympus.
The Olympus literally had the worst sound in the mic tests though. He even talked about it at the end.
thanx for the test..
soundwise i prefer the tascam over the three,
the olympus sounds like speaking through an old telephone...
had the zoom h1 (earlier model) for a longer time.
moderate audio quality,
but the build quality was a bit too light/too fragile for my taste.
Thanks for watching Lars. To be fair, The next model up from the Olympus is way better than this one. It's around £50 more though. Tascam is great for the money.
@@MisterHenry yap, that model might be better... olympus in general tend to sound a bit "bottomless"..but thats personal preference.
I do like the H1N myself. I boom it on an AX-33. I’m in need of buying 4 more recorders and I’m looking around to see alternatives in price and quality.
For the price of the H1n you can’t really go wrong. 👍
In my country Zoom H1n cost half the price of Tascam DR05 and you are comparing it with DR07?
I am looking for the smallest device for recording live performances on portable electric instruments. I have some drum machines and synths I like to take to odd places and play, it would be cool to have a pocket size device to record such performances. All the video's I can find are talking about field recording with a mic. Any good reviews on line level portable recorders?
Sounds like you'll need a sound device with 4 combined XLR and jack inputs. But then it would turn into a multi recording live session. Plus it wouldn't be that portable. You might as well get an audio interface with a laptop running Cubase and record that way. You'd have more control over the final edit. A Zoom H8 might be an option too.
@@MisterHenry
I could make two inputs work.
I have a Tascam DP006, it would be ok, but the audio quality is only 16bit, 44kbps. I'd like at least 24bits. Plus I'd prefer tiny, like Zoom F2 size if I can find it.
Reloop Tape is looking interesting, just wish it was a little more affordable.
Using a lav mic they all sound very similar ❤
Beginner here. Just trying to learn if these are worth the price, especially since you could use the voice memos app. I need a lav mic system for loud car engine audios, and I wanna know if a recorder is necessary or if an iphone and lav mic would suffice
Hi Dominic. A lav mic is mainly designed for voice. You'd get a much more wider frequency range by using a portable recorder. Plus if you're recording sound effects, a wind shield will help loads too.
@@MisterHenry Thanks. That’s what I figured. I assumed the range on lav mics would be limiting but was debating on if it was worth saving money
Just wondering if any of this suitable for nature sound recording for beginners?
Absolutely. Just make sure you invest in a dead cat wind shield for recording outside.
How do these hold up when compared to voice recording directly to the iPhone with a wired lav?
A handheld recorder is way more versatile than a iPhone with a Lav.
can you record stuff for court as evidence with any of these thing in your pocket? or will the quality be too bad to be used?
You’ll probably get a lot of pops and distortions due to it being in your pocket unfortunately.
When doing a RF interference test, use your phone, as it will put out a higher wattage than WIFI. I have noticed RF interference during phone usage.
Good shout. I will next time. Glad I don't use my phone while recording. LOL
For recording live music in small gigs which would you recommend???
I'd probably go for the DR-07X as it features stereo unidirectional mics with variable X/Y or A/B capability which is perfect for recording music and instruments.
@@MisterHenry thanks
@@tonybrownie No worries at all. :-)
I used the Zoom H1N for several years but for recording quiet nature sounds the noise floor is too high. Much too high. Maybe I just have a bad unit.
Yeah, unfortunatley with recorders under 100 you're probably going to struggle with high noise floor. Usually the more you spend, the better preamps/components you're going to get in the recording unit. Don't get me wrong though, the Zoom H1n is a great little audio recorder. It all depends what your using it for too.
Does the Olympus (first reviewed) record in stereo? With a splitter into the input jack, I mean?
Yes. The 3.5 input jack is stereo so with the right cable, you can split the signal left and right.
@@MisterHenry Thanks!!
The small Olympus turns voices into voices of gnomes😂
🤣
Very helpful info! May I ask which lav mic did you use?
Thanks Tyler. Sure thing! I used a Sennheiser ME2 Lav mic. amzn.to/3hizAbH
Thanks a lot!
@@Ty-rm2kg Totally welcome buddy. Downside is that you can't screw the mic into any of these units. I've had no issues with it popping out though. Just be aware though man.
Appreciate it!!
H1n is good for field recording? Like wild life or ASMR or sea waves ?
it's a good all rounder. Use a stand with the unit. You'll find you can capture better recordings when you avoid holding it. A dead cat wind protector is a must for recording outside too.
I just have to buy h1n . any external mic is needes in the starting?
If I use my phone to record my audio from a lav mic, where do I put my phone so that I can hide everything? I tried putting it in my pocket, but the mic cord runs down my shirt and you can see it stick out.
This is how I use my lav mics. You can use the same principle with your smart phone. Even hide the mic if needs be. czcams.com/video/B7H7ybP3nnA/video.html